Select the best equipment you can afford, but once you have done so resist the temptation to switch every time something new comes out.

Stopping power comes in two forms: psychologically or physically. Psychological incapacitation is hard to get a handle on, as any number of things can make a person quit the fight. In some instances if a person is shot they will stop regardless of the severity of the injury. This cannot be counted on, but if it happens it is certainly okay. One thing I have learned from the many felons I have interviewed is that they do not think like you or I, and they certainly do not feel fear as we do. So if you think that merely brandishing a gun or shooting rounds in their direction will stop them, you might want to think again.

Your gun may very well become their gun in short order. No, to ensure the incapacitation of a murderous individual, we need to hurt them as severely as possible…make them want to quit due to injury, discomfort or just lack of ability to continue on. Their death is irrelevant—all we want to do is stop their immediate action. To kill them once they are incapacitated is called homicide and you will be prosecuted for it. Unfortunately, small arms (particularly handguns) are not reliable manstoppers, so death is a very likely result of such action, though it is never the intent.

Shot Placement
Anyone who is a student of combative firearms (combative being defined as ready and willing to fight) needs to have a basic understanding of human anatomy. You need to understand how the body functions and what organs are a necessity to keeping it ambulatory. I am not a doctor, but I have taken a few anatomy courses over the years, so I have a rudimentary understanding of what is what and where it is located…

Ballistic Testing
In 1987, American law enforcement was dealt a severe blow in Miami, Florida that cost several FBI Agents their lives. Facing two very determined opponents who were armed with superior firepower, these agents fought bravely but their lives were not lost in vain. From this incident came the very best ammunition ever developed by all of the ammunition manufacturers…

Harsh Reality
The answer to all of this is training and practice. While I seldom log on to the many gun forums, I do check in to see what folks are saying and what I find is a bit distressing. The sections on training and tactics are utilized far less than sections on gear and gizmos. Yes, it is wise to know what is good gear and what isn’t, but once you’ve selected your sidearm, holster, knife, ammo and other related accessories the need to train and practice becomes paramount…